PAK vs NZ: "Babar Azam Doesn’t Have Sweep Shots And Is Unable To Take Charge" – Danish Kaneria

The second and final Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand ended in a draw, with both teams having a realistic chance of winning the match at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday, November 6. Pakistan needed just 15 runs to win in three overs before the umpires decided not to continue the match due to bad light.

Danish Kaneria criticized Pakistan captain Babar Azam for his shot selection on Day 5. Babar was caught behind the stumps for 27 runs off 41 balls off Michael Bracewell’s bowling. The right-handed batter scored a brilliant century in the first innings of the first Test, scoring 161 runs, but he only managed 14, 24, and 27 runs in the remaining three innings.

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Babar Azam Doesn’t Have The Cricketing Sense – Danish Kaneria

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria stated that Babar Azam lacks the sweep strokes to attack the off-spinners. The former spinner said that if Babar had played a sweep shot, he would have survived. Kaneria criticized  Babar’s performance as captain and batter during the two-Test series, which ended in a draw.

“I think Babar Azam doesn’t have the cricketing sense. He got out while playing on the back foot, which he should have swept. Luckily, Pakistan didn’t lose the series. Local boys Sarfaraz and Shakeel saved the team,” Danish Kaneria said.

“So-called world-class batter Babar Azam failed. Against off-spinners, he doesn’t have sweep shots and is unable to take charge. He failed to deliver when Pakistan needed him the most. He failed as a captain and batsman in the series,” he added.

You Have To Give Test Captaincy To Sarfaraz – Danish Kaneria

Kaneria believes that Sarfaraz Ahmed should be re-appointed as Test captain and Saud Shakeel as vice-captain to reward him for his performances against England and New Zealand. The 42-year-old also feels that Shakeel has the potential to lead Pakistan in the future.

“You have to give Test captaincy to Sarfaraz. He can be a very good option for captaincy and Saud Shakeel for vice-captaincy, who has started to play for Pakistan recently, but has the potential to lead Pakistan in the future.”

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed made a comeback against New Zealand and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring 335 runs in the two-match series, including a crucial 118 in the second innings of the final Test. Saud Shakeel has been impressive with the bat since his debut. He scored 346 runs in the three-Test series against England and 234 runs against New Zealand.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “The More Confidence The Captain Gets, The Better Decisions He Takes”- Inzamam-ul-Haq Backs Babar Azam To Lead Pakistan Across Formats

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